LG, not HTC, was to be Google’s original partner on the first commercial Android smartphone, according to the latest industry rumors, with Android chief Andy Rubin being forced to turn to the then-little-known Taiwanese firm after LG backed out of the deal. Although negotiations had begun in early 2007 for hardware partners, a source tells the WSJ, first-choice LG opted out midway through the year leaving HTC to pick up the reins. It’s a decision which hindsight suggests did LG no favors, given HTC subsequently rode Android to its current prominence.
